Public property investment

Tony Devenish: In view of the GLA’s role in public land, does the Mayor have any advice for councils which are investing in property outside their own geographic area?

The Mayor: The Mayor does not offer advice to councils investing in property outside of their own geographical area. It is for each Council to obtain its own advice in contemplating such investments.

The Citymapper Pass (4)

Tom Copley: According to the Terms and Conditions of the citymapper pass it costs £2 to pause your subscription for 1 week. Do you think such a fee is fair? Please give your reasons.

The Mayor: The way that Citymapper chooses to operate their business is for them to determine, albeit I do feel the suspension charge could be seen to be excessive. I am also concerned that Citymapper’s apparent loss-leader pricing strategy undercuts the existing weekly TfL Travelcard prices. Having said that, Citymapper has confirmed that TfL will be paid the existing fares as usual for all journeys on its services.

The Citymapper Pass (1)

Tom Copley: Do you welcome the introduction of the Citymapper Pass, or do you see it as a threat to the Oyster Card?

The Mayor: I am aware of CityMapper’s plans to introduce a subscription model, bundling together a number of transport options in London. However, I was disappointed to learn that Citymapperdid not discuss any details of their new subscription model with Transport for London (TfL) in the lead up to the launch, which I found surprising given the vast majority of services covered by the Pass are on the TfL network.

Intelligent Speed Assistance

Caroline Russell: The European Parliament has now supported Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) for new vehicles from 2022. Will you therefore bring forward work with Transport for London (TfL) and across the GLA portfolio to adopt mandatory ISA in your own fleet procurement programme, service procurement throughout London and in taxis and private hire by this date? And will you also encourage London boroughs to do the same for the vehicles and services that they procure?

The Mayor: Vehicle technology has a critical part to play in reducing deaths and serious injuries in London. Transport for London (TfL) is already insisting on Intelligent Speed Assistance on all new buses it purchases, just over 800 currently running on the network. However, you have made some helpful suggestions and I will ask TfL to explore how this technology may be adopted more generally.

Bombardier Trains Delivery

Jennette Arnold: I am aware that Bombardier failed to deliver trains for use of the Gospel Oak to Barking line and the Chingford to Liverpool St line on time in 2018. Please provide percentages of the number of trains Bombardier has delivered on time between 2013- present day broken down by year and providing details of the lines the Bombardier trains were planned to run on.

The Mayor: The delivery of new rolling stock is a complex matter with many deliverables to be considered to ensure that stock is reliable and safe for passenger operations.
With the increasing amount of technology used as part of new rolling stock trains go through various stages of acceptance and even if a train is delivered on time it usually requires thousands of hours of fault free running before it can be considered for passenger operation.
Transport for London (TfL) has ordered three trains from Bombardier over a number of batches. These include the Class 710, the S-Stock, and the Class 345.
TfL has worked closely with Bombardier to ensure the stock is able to be delivered on time. In most cases the physical units were delivered on time however, the acceptance process has presented significant challenges in the case of the Class 345 and Class 710.
The trains ordered by TfL from Bombardier are either in operation on, or due to be in operation on, the following lines:

Drug dealers

Tony Devenish: Do you agree with the Chief Supt Raj Kohli , Camden's top police officer, that "if you are a drug dealer and under 16, you are a victim of crime. Simple"?

The Mayor: The MPS considers each case on its merits, working closely with partners to ensure that children vulnerable to criminal exploitation are identified at the earliest stage and safeguarded.
In the case of drug dealing, in particular, ‘county lines’ selling, organised crime gangs rely on the exploitation of children and vulnerable people for their operations. As an example, the London Crime Prevention Fund has invested £3 million over three years to support the launch of the first pan-London county lines response service. The Response and Rescue service, which started up in July 2018, supports London’s young people involved in, as well as exploited by, county lines selling. This service received 328 referrals between September 2018 and March 2019.

Supporting Those Effected by Knife Crime

Jennette Arnold: Following the tragic deaths of teenage boys in my constituency, what support has the Mayor’s office helped to provide (via the Young Londoners Fund and other initiatives) to friends and family traumatised by these and other young deaths?

The Mayor: MOPAC has commissioned Victim Support to provide interventions to adult and children who have been victims of crime, including knife crime, as part of the integrated Victim and Witness Service.
In addition, Victim Support is commissioned by the Ministry of Justice to provide support to families who have been bereaved by Homicide. Victim Support provides interventions such as emotional support and casework to affected families for as long as they need it.

Crossing patrols

Caroline Russell: A recent BBC news report (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46514670) showed the decline of crossing patrols funded by councils and gave the example of the London borough of Hounslow which went from employing 22 wardens to just two. Given your plans to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from London’s transport network, what will you do to reduce road danger for children travelling to school?

The Mayor: I am committed to eliminating all deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads as part of my Vision Zero approach, but reducing the danger posed to children travelling to school is of particular importance. It is for this reason that my Vision Zero action plan contains ambitious proposals across the Safe System framework to reduce the danger posed to the most vulnerable road users.
Over the next five years, Transport for London (TfL) will be reducing speed limits on almost 150km of its road network and will be encouraging London boroughs to do the same, at locations of highest risk. Our investment in safer streets for children includes my Liveable Neighbourhoods programme, the Safer Junctions programme and other junction safety improvements, more zebra and signalised crossings as well as Local Implementation Plan funding for boroughs. TfL and the Metropolitan Police Service’s Junior Community Roadwatch programme also engages children in helping raise motorists’ awareness of the dangers of speeding near schools.
School children themselves also have a role to play through demonstrating safe behaviours on their journey to school. The Children’s Traffic Club London, Junior and Youth Travel Ambassadors, and STARS and Safety and Citizenship programmes all help in achieving this aim.
I will continue to urge the London boroughs to commit to Vision Zero and ensure that they prioritise the safety of children travelling to school.

Cleaners on London buses

Caroline Pidgeon: Are you committed to ensuring that all cleaners of buses contracted by TfL are paid the London Living Wage?

The Mayor: Yes. Transport for London’s (TfL’s) bus operating companies have agreed to comply with the London Living Wage requirements for all staff delivering the bus network, both those employed directly and those employed by contractors.
TfL is writing to all of the bus operating companies shortly to inform them of the London Living Wage rate for 2019.

Tottenham Court Road Access

Florence Eshalomi: Will the Mayor consider altering the ban on vehicles in Tottenham Court Road to allow electric taxis to use the route?

The Mayor: The West End Project is a Camden Council led scheme and that would be a decision for them. I understand that Camden will review taxi access once it has undertaken a full and detailed monitoring exercise after the project is implemented and following the implementation of the Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Pyrotechnic/possession of flare

Susan Hall: For each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 please provide the number of pyrotechnic/possession of flare offences and disposals.

The Mayor: Please see the table below for the number of incidents of ‘Possession of Fireworks in or Entering Sports Ground’ and the subsequent outcomes. It should be noted that this is a non-notifable offence.
Year
2016
2017
2018
01 - Charged/Summonsed
3
9
5
02 - Caution - youth
2
0
0
03 - Caution - adult
2
4
0
08 - Community Resolution
1
1
1
15 – Susp. id; V supports; evidential difficulties
5
4
2
18 - Invest. complete: no susp. id
1
0
0
Total
14
18
8

Local authority funding sustainability

Andrew Dismore: Are you concerned that any London local authorities will be left unable to set a balanced budget as a result of the forthcoming £1.3 billion reduction the Government has chosen to make to the Revenue Support Grant?

The Mayor: The scale of reductions arising from the Government’s austerity policies places great pressure on London’s local authorities. Although, all have set balanced budgets for 2019-20, most will have had to have made invidious decisions to do so. However, with the impending Spending Review, Fair Funding Formula Review, and business ratio re-set, further pressures will arise in future years in setting balanced budgets.

Removing flammable cladding (2)

Andrew Dismore: How many premises in London have been a) inspected by Joint Inspection Teams under the changes to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System implemented on 23 January, and b) issued with enforcement notices to remove dangerous cladding or make other fire safety improvements?

The Mayor: The Joint Inspection Team announced by the Government last summer is still being set up by the Local Government Association. The Government has not published any data on how many premises have been issued with enforcement notices.

Stakeholder Representation on TfL Tramlink Board

Caroline Pidgeon: Will you consider creating places for non-voting stakeholder representatives to sit on the board of TfL-owned Tramlink?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has statutory and contractual responsibilities for London Trams. TfL has existing channels of communication with the London Borough of Croydon. TfL attends and participates in public events and panels which enable information to be sought and provided and which reflect the importance of the Croydon Tram to its surrounding locality.
In addition, the TfL Board, whose membersbring a wide range of experienceto their role of holding TfL to account for delivery of the Business Plan and operational and budgetary performance, has received regular public updates on Croydon tram services with the opportunity for questions at Board meetings since the tragic derailment in 2016.
I am content that these existing arrangements provide for stakeholder views to be represented.

Pitch encroachment/incursion

Susan Hall: For each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 please provide the number of of pitch encroachment/incursion offences and disposals.

The Mayor: Please see the table below for the number of incidents of ‘Going onto the playing area or adjacent area without lawful authority or excuse’ and the subsequent outcomes. It should be noted that this is a non-notifable offence.
Year
2016
2017
2018
01 - Charged/Summonsed
6
12
6
02 - Caution - youth
0
2
0
03 - Caution - adult
1
3
1
08 - Community Resolution
0
1
1
15 - Susp id; V supports; evidential difficulties
3
3
4
16 - Susp id; V not support; evidential difficulties.
1
3
0
18 - Invest. complete: no susp id
0
1
0
Total
11
25
12

London Growth Hub

Andrew Dismore: What are the potential options for the next development stages of the London Growth Hub, as per DD2311 and when do you expect to have the results of the market research?

The Mayor: I am committed to my ambition to be the most pro-business Mayor yet. In order to deliver on this, I have expanded the service the Growth Hub offers from a virtual portal to delivering face to face support through a variety of programmes. I will further expand our services in the Autumn to ensure we reach out to more businesses. The new model will comprise a hub and spoke model where business navigators based across London will be delivering face to face advice to SMEs both on a one-to-one basis and through events.
The market research referred to in DD2311 will be commissioned next month. The results, which will help to inform the future development of the Growth Hub will be released in the Autumn.

EU funding

Andrew Dismore: Are you confident that the Government can make up any shortfall in EU funding in the case of no deal?

The Mayor: The Government has guaranteed that UK contracts relating to current EU funding, such as the 2014-20 European Regional Development Fund and European Social Fund programmes managed by City Hall, will continue to be supported in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. It remains unclear whether such funds might continue to be reclaimed from the EU, or be directly provided by the Government.
However, the Government’s promised consultation on the proposed post-2020 ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund’ to replace the EU’s vital multi-billion pound programmes for business, employment, skills and regeneration has not appeared; while their recent ‘Stronger Towns’ Fund excluded London entirely.
Other city Mayors and I have therefore just written to the Government to share our concerns. We have called for a multi-year, fully devolved funding programme of at least the quantum of existing structural fund and related domestic programmes.

Good Work Standard targets

Caroline Russell: Thank you for your response to my question 2019/4130. How will you measure the success of the Good Work Standard without a target on the number of sign-ups from businesses?

The Mayor: I want as many employers as possible to sign up to the Good Work Standard as I believe this is the benchmark for employment standards that all employers should be able to achieve.
We are currently working with a range of employers as GWS early adopters and we will be refining the Standard and our success measures based on their feedback.
The success of the Good Work Standard will depend on not just how many employers sign up to the initiative and gain accreditation, but also the number of workers and employees within those organisations who will see the benefits of those improved working practices..
We will also know the Good Work Standard is a success by monitoring how many employers use the Good Work Standard tools to improve their employment practices and by ensuring we are engaging a range of employers from different sectors and of different sizes.

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR 2013)

Caroline Pidgeon: In your response to Question 2019/4035 you stated: "The HSE has explained that the Reporting of Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013) only apply in the event that vehicle movement is not a factor in the incident which resulted in an injury.” Does this mean the 4,376 incidents of people being injured in collisions involving TfL buses from 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2018 as reported by GMB Unionare not in fact reported to the HSE by TfL or its bus operators?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) takes any bus collision very seriously. Through its Vision Zero action plan, it is working to eliminate all incidents of people being killed on or by a bus by 2030.
The Health and Safety Executive does not collect information on road traffic collisions caused by vehicle movement under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR). The relevant section of the Regulations states: “these reporting requirements do not apply where the injury or death of a person arises out of or in connection with the movement of a vehicle on a road.”
However, any injuries involving TfL’s contracted bus operators are recorded in TfL’s own incident reporting and recording system, as well as by the bus operators themselves. This data includes injuries resulting from collisions, as well as those resulting from other circumstances, such as slips, trips and falls. All incidents are investigated, with more serious incidents subject to a formal investigation process. Data on all such incidents is published regularly on TfL’s website.

Ford Dagenham (1)

Caroline Pidgeon: What action are you and the London Economic Action Partnership taking to protect manufacturing jobs such as those at Ford Dagenham Engine Plant?

The Mayor: I continue to work closely with businesses and employee representatives to protect London’s jobs from the threats that Brexit poses to industries such as manufacturing. My Deputy Mayors for Business and Environment have met with the Chairman of Ford Motors at the Dagenham plant to discuss the support they need from both the Mayor’s office and Government. My team will continue to work closely with Ford to ensure that they get the support they need to retain jobs and investment in Dagenham.
Ford’s Plant Manager Paul Neighbour has been appointed to my Skills for Londoners Business Partnership and will therefore play a key role in advising me on how to improve and better align skills provision including specialist, industry-relevant and higher level skills provision to meet the skills needs of businesses like Ford.
The London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP) is just one of the business-led bodies that are informing policy at City Hall, alongside my Business Advisory Board, the London Business Board and sector specific representative bodies.
London’s manufacturing sector plays a key role in London’s economy and LEAP is commissioning research to better understand the challenges the sector is facing, particularly in terms of Brexit.

Good Work Standard and retail sector

Fiona Twycross: Will you be targeting the retail sector to become accredited to the Good Work Standard?

The Mayor: Yes. The Good Work Standard (GWS) has been developed and designed to promote good work practices in organisations of all sizes and sectors. This includes the retail sector and my Economic Fairness team have been engaging with retailers to develop the GWS. The team have built strong relationships with a number of exemplary employers who I hope will be early adopters of the GWS and champion the initiative with their wider sector and supply chains.

Taxi Delicensing Scheme (10)

Keith Prince: Has TfL taken into consideration how the new Taxi Delicensing scheme will affect the Rental Market for Taxi Drivers and whether there will now be a shortage of Taxis to Rent?

The Mayor: Transport for London’s enhanced taxi delicencing scheme, launched in January 2019, was designed to speed up the removal of the most polluting taxi vehicles to improve London’s air quality. There are alternatives to decommissioning an older vehicle, such as LPG retrofit or purchasing a new zero emissions capable taxi. The delicensing fund was increased in February 2019 based on feedback from the trade, including fleet owners in the rental market, many of whom also want to transition to more ZEC vehicles. Fleet owners are, however, limited in the number of vehicles they can decommission per company due to state aid limitations.
Please also see my response to Mayor’s Question 2019/6177.